Further to some of the posts last night I can only reiterate my previous comment. The issue of missing Kingfisher perches will be dealt with when the work parties are next working in that area of the reserve, rather than prioritising them on an ad hoc basis. At the minute there is a tremendous volume of work going on the improve the habitat across the Moors Pool as seen by the activity around the North Moors, the area opposite Lifestyles and the hedge works along the westerm boundary. All of these are designed to increase the diversification of birds, insects and flowers (including targeting key species such as Willow Warbler) and will, through their very nature of removing old, tired, bushy growth, improve viewing opportunities. At this time of year the work parties need to prioritise their time to take advantage of the lower water levels, lack of active growth etc.
The Moors' work party in particular devotes a lot of time to improving photographic opportunities - the daily maintenance of the feeding station by Paul Moseley, the cutting back of the reeds in front of the West Hide and Concretre Hide to make natural runs for the Water Rail, improvement works to the Concrete Hide planned / undertaken by the Trust etc together with the cutting of the reeds in front of the Hen Pool hide.
We now have a hard core of 35-40 volunteers who regularly contribute to the Moors and Flashes' work parties with a complete range of ages (God bless Terry Norledge still working like a trojan in his 80s), birdwatching experience / interest, practical conversation knowledge etc. What they all have is enthusiasm and a desire to maintain and improve Upton Warren. The contribution to these work parties by photographers eg Sy V and Binus means that a range of view points and requirements are factored into the work programmes.
In addition to the enormous contribution made through these regular work parties, further work is undertaken by volunteers in wardening the reserve (although this will never replace our long-term goal of having a full time dedicated warden), undertaking ad hoc work parties as the situation demands, liasing with the Trust and their contractors, undertaking breeding bird surveys and counts, undertaking water samples, writing management plans, devising new and innovative alterations to the reserve, late night wardening to protect Schedule 1 breeding species etc etc. Many of the participants have been involved far longer than the 14 years I have contributed and have invested a great deal of their own time, money and emotional energy in striving to make Upton Warren as good a reserve as is possible within its limitations.